LOCKING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FIXATION OF COMPONENTS TO TUBES

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to technology for fixing and mounting accessories to tubes with different cross-sections and dimensions and to technology for transportation of goods, packaging, material etc. in e.g. warehouses and at assembly stations, by means of gravity.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Locking devices for tube constructions are used in many different applications, e.g. for connecting tubes in material racks, tent racks, work platforms and stands but also to connect accessories to tubes.

[0003] Today's locking devices are not flexible enough to adjust to new conditions. Adjustment means adjustment of e.g. a tube rack's height, width and depth, and it can also be connection of new accessories. Accessories also include new tubes, or relocation of existing accessories on an assembled tubular construction. Most locking devices usually have a limited functionality, which results in that several different variants of locking devices must be purchased in order to build the desired tubular construction and to attach accessories thereto. When a tubular construction shall be rebuilt in order to be adjusted to new conditions, it is not certain that all locking devices can be reused. This results in increased costs and unnecessary waste.

[0004] Examples of tube racks which must be adapted in terms of width, length, height, and accessories are material racks used in the manufacturing industry. When new products are introduced and production starts or when production volumes changes, there is a need of rebuilding the material facade at a production line and at warehouses where production items are stored. I.e., the material racks along the production line or in the warehouse must be adjusted to store new types of packaging and to handle new buffer levels (number of packages). Product changes and volume changes occur with more frequent interval, and today's solutions for how material racks are constructed are not flexible enough to quickly, easily and cost effectively adapt to the new conditions.

[0005] GB 1265889 (to Baldock) shows a fixation device for fixating tubes extending in different directions to each other.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention solves the problems of the known technology, by that a lock housing, with the subsequent patent claims specified characteristics, can be used for several different locking functions. A locking device consists of two lock plates and two of those lock housings.

[0007] The lock housing, shaped like a shell, is intended for use in a locking device for fixing to an elongated element.

[0008] The lock housing includes a first side comprising at least three holes, wherein at least one hole comprises threads. The hole is positioned on the first side such that an axial extension of the hole's periphery cuts the elongated element when the locking device is fixed to the elongated element, such that a screw placed in the hole with a thread can be applied to the elongated element, and that the lock housing further comprises at least two other sides substantially perpendicular to the first side. The other sides comprise a recess intended to receive the elongated element.

[0009] The other sides, which are opposite to each other, have the same dimension and shape of the recesses in order for the elongated element to run through the lock housing. The other sides include holes or protrusions intended to be connected with corresponding holes or protrusions in a lock plate.

[0010] Furthermore, is here shown a lock plate intended for connecting with a lock housing for fixating to an elongated element. The lock plate comprises a hole located in the middle of the plate, allowing the elongated element to run freely through the hole, and at least two holes or protrusions intended to be fastened in holes or protrusions of a first and a second lock housing for connecting the first and second locking house.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a locking device is intended for fixation to an elongated element. The locking device includes two lock housings, according to an embodiment shown herein, and two lock plates, as described herein. Two lock housings can be assembled to form a geometry, where the assembled geometry has through holes formed by the recesses in the lock housings, whereby the through holes correspond to the geometry of the elongated element the locking device is intended to be fastened to. Holes or protrusions on the lock housings form an interface comprising at least two holes or two protrusions, which interface is found on all sides of the locking device. A lock plate with protrusions or holes corresponding to the interface, can be assembled to two sides of the lock housings for connecting of the lock housings, at which the locking device is intended to be locked to the elongated element by a screw being applied in one of the threaded holes, of which the axial extension of the periphery cuts the elongated element, such that the elongated element is pressed against the opposite lock housing at the same time as it creates tensile forces in the lock plate such that contact pressure and/or friction between the screw and the longitudinal element, and between protrusions or the holes on the lock plate, and holes or protrusions in the lock housings holds the locking device together.

[0012] The locking plates may include protrusions with through holes with internal threads in order to connect accessories to the locking device.

[0013] According to an exemplifying embodiment, the lock housings are shaped as a shell with one open side and a cover which is opposite to the open side. On the cover, holes are placed in a pattern, and in addition to the holes that form a pattern, there are also threaded holes. These holes can be used to attach accessories to the cover or to lock the locking device. On the other sides, there are half the hole pattern that is found on the cover and also a recess corresponding to half of the cross section on the tube that the locking device can be locked to. The recesses are always identical on two opposite sides of the lock housing. This allows the tube to run straight through the lock housing.

[0014] The lock plate has a hole in the middle that allows the tube, that the locking device shall be connected to, to run freely through the hole. This ensures that the tube does not lean on the lock plate when assembling instead of against the lock housing's recess. The lock plate has pins that are placed in accordance with the same pattern as the holes on the lock housing's cover.

[0015] When assembling the locking device to a tube, two lock housings are assembled with the open sides against each other around a tube with the dimensions corresponding to the recesses that are oriented in the tube's axial direction. The two lock housings then form a closed geometry around the tube and all sides of the locking device has a hole pattern corresponding to the hole pattern on the lock housing's cover. Two lock plates can be assembled by fitting in the pins in the hole pattern so that half of a lock plate's pin are in each lock housing. By applying a screw in the threaded hole in the middle of one of the lock housing's cover, the through tube will be pressed against the opposite lock housing at the same time as the lock plates hold the lock housings together. The locking device is then locked by means of contact pressure and friction. As the same hole pattern is found on all sides, the assembling of components by means of the same interface on all of the locking device's sides is allowed.

[0016] To attach accessories to a tube by means of a locking device, the accessories can either be connected to a through hole with thread on the lock plate's pin or the interface with the pin can be integrated into the accessory.

[0017] It is also possible to use the invention in a corresponding way but to have the pins on the lock housing and the holes in the lock plate or to replace the screw that locks the device with any other type of clamping element.

[0018] Note that the invention can be combined freely within the patent claims' scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] The invention is described in detail below by means of enclosed exemplifying embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a lock housing

Figure 2 shows a lock plate

Figure 3 shows locking device assembled on a tube

Figure 4 shows locking device assembled on a tube including assembled accessories (tubes in telescopic connection)

Figure 5 shows locking device assembled on a tube including mounted accessories (tubes in x-coupling)

Figure 6 shows locking device with accessories (tubes) assembled on all sides

Figure 7 shows example of a lock housing with cover in the shape of a hexagon

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the following, a description of embodiments will be made in reference to the enclosed drawings. It should be noted that the figures are only for illustrating embodiments and shall not be considered to limit the scope of protection. Directional specifications shall be viewed only as directional specifications in the drawings.

[0021] By means of the invention, different variants of lock functions can be created by combining two different types of components with each other. The modular based design makes it very simple to do re-constructions/re-assemblies of e.g. a tubular rack or relocation of accessories on this tubular rack.

[0022] Embodiments disclosed includes two different components:

• Lock housing
• Lock plate

[0023] Two lock housings and two lock plates together create a locking device.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a lock housing according to one embodiment, wherein the lock housing is a component shaped as a shell with an open side and a closed side in the form of a cover 5. On the cover there is an interface with a hole pattern that forms the same pattern as the pins 1 form on the lock plate. In addition to this, there are holes with threads 7.

[0025] There are recesses 8 on all sides of the lock housing which are perpendicular to the cover's surface 5. Opposite sides of the lock housing always have the same dimensions of the recesses 8. On these sides, there are also half as many holes 6 as there are pins 1 on the lock plate. These holes form half the interface that fit the pins 1 which are on the locking plate.

[0026] When two lock housings are assembled together with the open sides toward each other a closed geometry is formed with a pattern of holes 6 on all sides of the closed geometry. The same pattern is formed by the pins 1 which is on the lock plate.

[0027] When two lock housings are assembled, with the open sides toward each other, it forms in addition, by the recesses 8, through holes on all sides that are perpendicular to the covers 5 on the two assembled lock housings. The dimensions of the through holes correspond to the dimension of the tubes that the locking device shall be locked to.

[0028] The number of sides that are perpendicular to the cover side of the lock housing divided by two, will determine how many different tube dimensions the locking device can handle. For example, a lock housing with a cover in the form of a square, has four sides that are perpendicular to the cover and it can handle two different tube dimensions. A lock housing with a cover in the form of a hexagon, has six sides which are perpendicular to the cover and can thus handle three different tube dimensions.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a lock plate according to an example, which is not claimed separately, in which the plate has an interface with a number of pins 1 with internal thread 3 and a number of holes 2. Two lock plates are used to hold together two lock housings when locking. The lock plate has a hole 4 in the centre with a dimension larger than the dimension of the through half-holes in the lock housing. Accessories such as hooks, tubes, roller conveyors etc. can be connected to the lock plate, with screws through the internal threads in the pins 3.

[0030] A lock plate does not need to be flat. The important thing is that its function regarding through holes and pins, exists. The lock plate can also be integrated in an accessory.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a locking device which components can be fixed to tubes with dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the through hole formed by the recesses 8 on the lock housing.

[0032] Assembling of a locking device on a tube is made by assembling two lock housings around a tube with the open sides toward each other. The recesses 8 on the lock housings with dimension corresponding to the tube dimension shall be oriented in the tube's axial direction. Lock plates are connected to two sides of the closed geometry that is formed when two lock housings are assembled. The lock plates are connected by fitting the pins 1 on the lock plate in the holes 6 that are on the sides of the closed geometry, which are perpendicular to the two lock housing's covers 5. Locking is done by tightening a screw 9 in the thread 7 in the middle of the cover. When tightening the screw it will press the tube against the surface of the recess 8 on the opposite lock housing, simultaneously as the lock plates hold the lock housings together. The lock plates are held in place by means of contact pressure and friction between pins 1 on the lock plate and holes 6 in the lock housing. The tube is fixed to the locking device by means of contact pressure and friction in three points, screw 9 against the tube and the two surfaces in the recesses 8 of lock housing against the tube.

[0033] When a locking device consists of two lock housings and two lock plates that are fixed to a tube, the locking device is in its basic design. In its basic design, accessories can be connected to the two sides that the lock plates are assembled to.

[0034] Figure 4 shows lock plates assembled on the sides of the closed geometry, formed by two lock housings, which are perpendicular to the tube's axial direction and perpendicular to the covers 5 on the closed geometry, and this may for example be used to lock two tubes of different dimensions to each other in the axial direction when using telescopic function. The inner tube 15 runs through the closed geometry and the outer tube 16 runs on the inner tube and is attached to one of the lock plates.

[0035] Figure 5 shows that when lock plates are connected on the two sides that are parallel to the tube and perpendicular to the cover 5 in the closed geometry, a coupling in the form of a T or an X can be created, if a tube is attached to the lock plate.

[0036] Figure 6 shows one embodiment where more accessories are connected through lock plates assembled to the other sides of the locking device. They could also be assembled through the thread 7 in the cover.

[0037] Figure 7 shows an alternative geometry in which the locking device is intended to handle many different tube dimensions depending on geometry. For example, a locking device consisting of lock housings with hexagonal covers can handle three different tube dimensions.

[0038] The abovementioned description of embodiments shall not be understood as limiting, but can be freely combined within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A lock housing (17) adapted for use in a locking device for fixation to an elongated element (11), characterized in that

a) a first side (5) comprises at least three holes, where at least one hole comprises threads (7) and is positioned on the first side (5) such that an axial extension of the hole's periphery may cut the elongated element (11) when the locking device is fixed to the elongated element, such that a screw (9) placeable in the hole with the threads (7) can be applied to the elongated element (11), and in that the lock housing (17) further comprises:

b) at least two other sides (10) substantially perpendicular to the first side (5), whereby the at least two other sides (10) each comprises a recess (8) adapted to receive the elongated element (11), and wherein,

c) the at least two other sides (10), which are opposite to each other, have the same dimension and shape of the recesses (8) such that the elongated element (11) can run through the lock housing (17), and wherein the at least two other sides (10) comprise holes (6) or protrusions adapted to be connected with corresponding holes or protrusions (1) on a lock plate (18).

2. The lock housing according to claim 1, wherein the lock housing comprises four other sides (10) substantially perpendicular to the first side.

3. The lock housing according to any one of claims 1 - 2, wherein the lock housing has the form of half a cube.

4. The lock housing according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the holes (6) or protrusions of a first other side (10), of the at least two other sides, are aligned with the holes (6) or protrusions of a second other side (10), of the at least two other sides.

5. A locking device adapted for fixation to an elongated element (11) comprising two lock housings (17) according to claim 1, and two lock plates (18), characterized in that:

a) the two lock housings (17) can be assembled to form a geometry, whereby the assembled geometry has through holes (12) formed by the recesses (8) in the lock housings (17), wherein the through holes (12) can correspond to the geometry of the elongated element (11), to which the locking device is adapted to be fixed to, and

b) the holes (6) or protrusions on the lock housings (17) forms an interface (14) comprising at least two holes (6) or two protrusions, which interface is found on all sides of the locking device, wherein

c) the lock plates (18) with protrusions (1) or holes corresponding to the interface and a hole (4) placed in the middle of the plates, can be assembled to two sides (10) on the lock housings (17) for connecting the lock housings, wherein

d) the locking device is adapted to be locked to the elongated element (11) by a screw (9) being applied in one of the threaded holes (7), whose axial extension length of the periphery cuts the elongated element (11), wherein

e) the elongated element (11) can be pressed against opposite lock housing (17) at the same time as it creates tensile forces in the lock plates (18), and wherein

f) contact pressure and friction between the screw (9) and the longitudinal element (11) and between the protrusions (1) or holes on the lock plates and holes (14) or protrusions on the lock housings can hold the locking device together.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein the lock plates (18) comprises protrusions (1) with through holes with internal threads in order to connect accessories to the locking device.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, further comprising an accessory comprising a fixation plate and a tube (16).

8. The locking device according to any one of claims 5 - 7, wherein the interface (14) comprising at least four holes or four protrusions, which interface is found on all sides of the locking device.

9. The locking device according to any one of claims 5 - 8, wherein the holes or protrusions of the interface on a first side of the locking device is aligned with the holes or protrusions of the interface on a second side.

10. Material rack comprising:

a) a locking device according to any of claims 5 - 9, and

b) an elongated element (11).

11. Method for connecting tubes (11) by using locking device according to any of claims 5 - 9, the method comprises:

a) assembling of two lock housings (17) around a tube (11),

b) connecting lock plates (18) to the lock housings (17) through holes (6) or protrusions in the lock plates (18) being fitted into holes (6) or protrusions in the lock housing (17), and

c) locking of the locking device to the tube (11) by tightening the screw (9) placed in the threaded hole (7).

Ansprüche

1. Verriegelungsgehäuse (17), das zur Verwendung in einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung zur Befestigung an einem länglichen Element (11) angepasst ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

a) eine erste Seite (5) zumindest drei Löcher umfasst, wobei zumindest ein Loch ein Gewinde (7) umfasst und so an der ersten Seite (5) positioniert ist, dass eine axiale Erstreckung des Lochumfangs das längliche Element (11) schneiden kann, wenn die Verriegelungsvorrichtung am länglichen Element befestigt wird, sodass eine im Loch mit dem Gewinde (7) anordenbare Schraube (9) auf das längliche Element (11) angewandt werden kann, und dadurch, dass das Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) ferner Folgendes umfasst:

b) zumindest zwei andere Seiten (10), die im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur ersten Seite (5) sind, wobei die zumindest zwei anderen Seiten (10) jede eine Aussparung (8) umfassen, die dazu angepasst ist, das längliche Element (11) aufzunehmen, und wobei

c) die zumindest zwei anderen Seiten (10), die einander gegenüberliegen, dieselbe Abmessung und Form der Aussparungen (8) aufweisen, sodass das längliche Element (11) durch das Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) verlaufen kann, und wobei die zumindest zwei anderen Seiten (10) Löcher (6) oder Vorsprünge umfassen, die dazu angepasst sind, mit entsprechenden Löchern oder Vorsprüngen (1) an einer Verriegelungsplatte (18) verbunden zu werden.

2. Verriegelungsgehäuse nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verriegelungsgehäuse vier andere Seiten (10) umfasst, die im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur ersten Seite sind.

3. Verriegelungsgehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, wobei das Verriegelungsgehäuse die Form eines halben Würfels aufweist.

4. Verriegelungsgehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 3, wobei die Löcher (6) bzw. Vorsprünge einer ersten anderen Seite (10) der zumindest zwei anderen Seiten an den Löchern (6) bzw. Vorsprüngen einer zweiten anderen Seite (10) der zumindest zwei anderen Seiten ausgerichtet sind.

5. Verriegelungsvorrichtung, die zur Befestigung an einem länglichen Element (11) angepasst ist, umfassend zwei Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) nach Anspruch 1 und zwei Verriegelungsplatten (18), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

a) die beiden Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) montiert werden können, um eine Geometrie auszubilden, wobei die montierte Geometrie Durchgangslöcher (12) aufweist, die durch die Aussparungen (8) in den Verriegelungsgehäusen (17) ausgebildet werden, wobei die Durchgangslöcher (12) der Geometrie des länglichen Elements (11), an dem die Verriegelungsvorrichtung befestigt zu werden angepasst ist, entsprechen können und

b) die Löcher (6) bzw. Vorsprünge an den Verriegelungsgehäusen (17) eine Schnittstelle (14) ausbilden, die zumindest zwei Löcher (6) bzw. zwei Vorsprünge umfasst, wobei die Schnittstelle an allen Seiten der Verriegelungsvorrichtung zu finden ist, wobei

c) die Verriegelungsplatten (18) mit Vorsprüngen (1) bzw. Löchern, die der Schnittstelle entsprechen, und einem in der Mitte der Platten angeordneten Loch (4) an zwei Seiten (10) an den Verriegelungsgehäusen (17) montiert werden können, um die Verriegelungsgehäuse zu verbinden, wobei

d) die Verriegelungsvorrichtung dazu angepasst ist, mit dem länglichen Element (11) durch eine Schraube (9) verriegelt zu werden, die in einem der Gewindelöcher (7) angewandt wird, deren axiale Erstreckungslänge des Umfangs das längliche Element (11) schneidet, wobei

e) das längliche Element (11) zur gleichen Zeit gegen ein gegenüberliegendes Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) gedrückt werden kann, wie es Zugkräfte in den Verriegelungsplatten (18) erzeugt, und wobei

f) Kontaktdruck und -reibung zwischen der Schraube (9) und dem länglichen Element (11) und zwischen den Vorsprüngen (1) bzw. Löchern an den Verriegelungsplatten und Löchern (14) bzw. Vorsprüngen an den Verriegelungsgehäusen die Verriegelungsvorrichtung zusammenhalten können.

6. Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Verriegelungsplatten (18) Vorsprünge (1) mit Durchgangslöchern mit Innengewinde umfassen, um Zubehörteile mit der Verriegelungsvorrichtung zu verbinden.

7. Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, ferner umfassend ein Zubehörteil, das eine Befestigungsplatte und ein Rohr (16) umfasst.

8. Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 -7, wobei die Schnittstelle (14) zumindest vier Löcher oder vier Vorsprünge umfasst, wobei die Schnittstelle an allen Seiten der Verriegelungsvorrichtung zu finden ist.

9. Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 - 8, wobei die Löcher bzw. Vorsprünge der Schnittstelle an einer ersten Seite der Verriegelungsvorrichtung an den Löchern bzw. Vorsprüngen der Schnittstelle an einer zweiten Seite ausgerichtet sind.

10. Materialgestell, umfassend:

a) eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 - 9 und

b) ein längliches Element (11).

11. Verfahren zum Verbinden von Rohren (11) durch Verwenden einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 - 9, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes umfasst:

a) Montieren von zwei Verriegelungsgehäusen (17) um ein Rohr (11),

b) Verbinden von Verriegelungsplatten (18) mit den Verriegelungsgehäusen (17) durch Löcher (6) bzw. Vorsprünge in den Verriegelungsplatten (18), die in Löcher (6) bzw. Vorsprünge im Verriegelungsgehäuse (17) eingepasst werden, und

c) Verriegeln der Verriegelungsvorrichtung mit dem Rohr (11) durch Anziehen der im Gewindeloch (7) angeordneten Schraube (9).

Revendications

1. Gaine de verrou (17) adaptée pour être utilisée dans un dispositif de verrouillage destiné à être fixé à un élément allongé (11), caractérisée en ce que

a) un premier côté (5) comprend au moins trois trous, où au moins un trou comprend des filets (7) et est positionné sur le premier côté (5) de telle sorte qu'une extension axiale de la périphérie du trou peut couper l'élément allongé (11) lorsque le dispositif de verrouillage est fixé à l'élément allongé, de telle sorte qu'une vis (9) pouvant être placée dans le trou avec les filets (7) peut être appliquée sur l'élément allongé (11), et en ce que la gaine de verrou (17) comprend en outre:

b) au moins deux autres côtés (10) sensiblement perpendiculaires au premier côté (5), les au moins deux autres côtés (10) comprenant chacun un évidement (8) adapté pour recevoir l'élément allongé (11), et,

c) les au moins deux autres côtés (10), qui sont opposés l'un à l'autre, ayant la même dimension et la même forme que les évidements (8) de sorte que l'élément allongé (11) peut passer à travers la gaine de verrou (17), et les au moins deux autres côtés (10) comprenant des trous (6) ou saillies adaptés pour être reliés à des trous ou saillies (1) correspondants sur une plaque de verrou (18).

2. Gaine de verrou selon la revendication 1, la gaine de verrou comprenant quatre autres côtés (10) sensiblement perpendiculaires au premier côté.

3. Gaine de verrou selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2 la gaine de verrou ayant la forme d'un demi-cube.

4. Gaine de verrou selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle les trous (6) ou saillies d'un premier autre côté (10), des au moins deux autres côtés, sont alignés avec les trous (6) ou saillies d'un second autre côté (10), des au moins deux autres côtés.

5. Dispositif de verrouillage adapté pour la fixation à un élément allongé (11) comprenant deux gaines de verrou (17) selon la revendication 1, et deux plaques de verrou (18), caractérisé en ce que:

a) les deux gaines de verrou (17) peuvent être assemblées pour former une géométrie, la géométrie assemblée présentant des trous traversants (12) formés par les évidements (8) dans les gaines de verrou (17), les trous traversants (12) pouvant correspondre à la géométrie de l'élément allongé (11) sur lequel le dispositif de verrouillage est adapté pour être fixé, et

b) les trous (6) ou saillies sur les gaines de verrou (17) forment une interface (14) comprenant au moins deux trous (6) ou deux saillies, laquelle interface se trouve sur tous les côtés du dispositif de verrouillage, dans lequel

c) les plaques de verrou (18) avec des saillies (1) ou des trous correspondant à l'interface et un trou (4) placé au milieu des plaques, peuvent être assemblés sur deux côtés (10) sur les gaines de verrou (17) pour relier les gaines de verrou, dans lequel

d) le dispositif de verrouillage est adapté pour être verrouillé sur l'élément allongé (11) par une vis (9) appliquée dans l'un des trous filetés (7), dont la longueur d'extension axiale de la périphérie coupe l'élément allongé (11), dans lequel

e) l'élément allongé (11) peut être pressé contre la gaine de verrou opposée (17) en même temps qu'il crée des forces de traction dans les plaques de verrou (18), et dans lequel

f) la pression de contact et le frottement entre la vis (9) et l'élément longitudinal (11) et entre les saillies (1) ou les trous sur les plaques de verrou et les trous (14) ou les saillies sur les gaines de verrou peuvent maintenir ensemble le dispositif de verrouillage.

6. Dispositif de verrouillage selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les plaques de verrou (18) présentent des saillies (1) avec des trous traversants à filets intérieurs pour le raccordement d'accessoires au dispositif de verrouillage.

7. Dispositif de verrouillage selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre un accessoire comprenant une plaque de fixation et un tube (16).

8. Dispositif de verrouillage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, l'interface (14) comprenant au moins quatre trous ou quatre saillies, laquelle interface se trouve sur tous les côtés du dispositif de verrouillage.

9. Dispositif de verrouillage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, dans lequel les trous ou saillies de l'interface sur un premier côté du dispositif de verrouillage sont alignés avec les trous ou saillies de l'interface sur un second côté.

10. Râtelier de matériau comprenant:

a) un dispositif de verrouillage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, et

b) un élément allongé (11).

11. Procédé pour raccorder des tubes (11) en utilisant un dispositif de verrouillage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, le procédé consistant à:

a) assembler deux gaines de verrou (17) autour d'un tube (11),

b) relier des plaques de verrou (18) aux gaines de verrou (17) par des trous (6) ou des saillies dans les plaques de verrou (18) qui sont montées dans des trous (6) ou des saillies dans la gaine de verrou (17), et

c) verrouiller le dispositif de verrouillage sur le tube (11) par serrage de la vis (9) placée dans le trou fileté (7).

Drawing